[VOY] MJC's 2-cents Review: "Repentance"
Mean Joe Cool
Synopsis: The crew of the U.S.S. Voyager rescue the crew
and passengers aboard a critically damaged vessel
transporting convicts scheduled for execution. When the
Doctor and Seven of Nine make a discovery that changes
the ground rules, Captain Janeway and the crew have to
walk the gray area between the Prime Directive and justice,
with the ship's safety hanging in the balance
MJC Review:
The Drama -
Guilty! But wait, I'm not guilty! He did it. No, I did it, but I'm
really sorry. No, not really...... So many excuses one can get
from a criminal. But what makes one choose a life of crime?
Economics, personal choice, bad luck, biology?? Most of
this episode's drama centers around that topic, including the
system of so-called justice. As it turns out, one of the
convicts, Iko, had a biological condition that made him
"bad". However, the system of justice in his society either
ignored or did not know of such conditions. Only when
Seven's nanobots repaired Iko's damage did he begin to
truly realize his sin and feel remorse, guilt, and all that
conscience stuff. It was ironic that Iko had previously
threatened to kill Seven only to have seven be the one to
save his soul. Of course, it may take another generation
before his society acknowledges or even treats such mental
conditions. No one, even Iko, doubted his guilt. However,
with this truth revealed and Iko treated for his mental
condition, it does give him the honest ability to repent. It's
unfortunate that neither the Nygean justice system nor the
victim's family are interested in true punishment or
forgiveness -- only revenge. On the other side of the plot,
Nelix is "fooled" into believing that another prisoner is being
held unjustly. That plot takes the turn of true deception and
manipulation (evil takes many forms and even content
appearances). The true kindness of Nelix does make him a
bit naive to the situation of the other prisoner. For whatever
reasons, Nelix learns that there are "true" criminals who can
deceive almost anyone. It was difficulty for Janeway and
crew to deal with the injustice of the Nygean system of
punishment, but as true starfleet offices, they adhered to the
Prime Directive and did not interfere (for once). I thought that
this episodes was quite moving on the topic of
criminals/punishment/justice. Nice job!
Tid Bits -
The Nygean justice system kind of reminds me of the
criminal justice system in Texas. I wonder where the writers
got the basis for this plot??? Hmmm.....
What it all means -
"Forgive me father for I have sinned..."
3 cool peace signs
MJC 200002.12
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